Do you know how old is a full-grown Border collie? A dog’s potential size can have an impact on your ability to take care of him. Before you adopt one, it is important to know how big a Border collie pup will get in the future so that you can determine if this breed is the ultimate fit for your lifestyle.
How Big Will My Border Collie Get?
According to the American Kennel Club, the average height of the Border collie is between 19 to 22 inches in males and 18 to 21 inches in females. As for the weight, it varies between 35 to 55 pounds. The Border collie may not be as big as the Caucasian Shepherd or Kangal, but this furry medium-sized shepherd thrives best with plenty of acreages due to his insurmountable energy.
At What Age are Border Collies Fully Grown?
The Border collie has an average life span of 12 years, but some may also reach 15 years old. Border collies are already at their full height by the time they celebrate their first birthday. But just like a teenage boy, your collie will continue to put on weight and his chest area deepens until he reaches his full framework at 3 years old.
That being said, you want to make sure you are feeding your Border collie a high-quality diet with the recommended serving. Personally, I would recommend the recommend IAMS Mini Chunks Chicken & Whole Grains Recipe for your pooch. This kibble is made in the USA using premium, human-grade ingredients to give your beloved pet the complete and balanced nutrition he needs.
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Female Border Collies Mature Earlier than Males
Female Border collies are considered adults when they are 2 years old, but before that, they will have to undergo canine puberty.
As with adolescence, canine puberty is the period between sexual and social maturity, which occurs between 7 months to 2 years. During this time, your collie’s hormones will be running ahead of her brains. As such, you may notice several behavioral changes in your pooch.
Additionally, an unspayed Border collie will have her first heat cycle by the time she reaches 6 or 7 months of age. Your pooch will then have a swelling vulva and a bloody discharge. However, some pooches are exceptionally clean that you might barely see evidence of blood.
If you have no plans to breed, it is wise to have your female collie spayed. Ideally, you want your pooch to undergo the procedure before she reaches her first period to reduce the risks of uterine infections, breast tumors, and malignant cancers.
Male Collies Reaches Adulthood within 36 Months
Male Border collies are considered adults by the time they celebrate their third birthday. Additionally, any collie who has moved past the teenage stage should have already gained enough weight.
However, maturity in this context does not imply physical or sexual maturity, but rather, it is the point at which your Border collie has grown emotionally stable. A well-trained collie should have already developed predictable behaviors and reactions towards certain situations and different environments by this time.
If you are a hands-on pet parent, you will know when Pupper has grown responsible, although he will most likely still act like a clingy, attention-seeking child.
How Big Should a Border Collie Be at 3 Months?
On average, a three-month-old Border collie pup weighs around 6 pounds, and he should be eating a cup of puppy food divided into 2 feedings every day.
If your furred baby is underweight, it might be due to worms. Intestinal worms are the number one cause of weight loss in puppies.
How Big Should a Border Collie Be at 6 Months?
At 6 months, a Border collie pup weighs around 13 pounds. Your fast-growing pooch should eat 1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality kibble per day.
When Do Border Collies Stop Growing?
As mentioned earlier, a Border collie may reach his full height at 12 months old but he will continue to pack on muscle and fat. Take note: puppies will grow in different paces, and some pooches will have growth spurts. All the information you find online should only serve as a guide to give you an idea of how big your beloved pet can get in the future.
Influential Factors of a Border Collie’s Growth Potential
Many factors influence the size and growth potential of your Border collie, and the most common are:
- Intestinal worms
Puppies with a worm infestation usually have a pot-bellied look, a small and thin frame despite a voracious appetite, and a poor coat. A worm infestation is a serious problem in puppies, as these parasites grow rapidly in numbers. The worms steal nutrients from the food your puppy eats, causing digestive upset and malnutrition that stunts his growth potential. A high-intensity worm infestation also causes death.
Puppies contract worms from either their mother or from their surroundings. Hence, a deworming program is vital as early as 2 weeks of age.
- Undernourishment
Puppies who suffer malnutrition due to an infection, medical condition, or extreme hunger are at risk for stunted growth. Therefore, feed your pup the proper amount of food they need to promote bone, muscle, and tissue development. An excellent strategy is to add food supplements to your puppy’s food, such as the Sure Grow 100 Chewable Tablets and Tomlyn High-Calorie Nutritional Gel for Puppies.
- Strenuous Exercise
True, Border collies are the most energetic bunch! However, puppies should not be forced to tag along for jogging and walking until their bones are fully developed. Physical exercise will not stunt Pupper’s growth, but too much damages the growth plates of the bones, causing them to develop abnormally and increase the risk of joint damage.
Vets recommend waiting until your little collie is 15-months-old before you can take him out for a short walk and increase exercise by 5 minutes per month until he is big enough for challenging roles, such as herding chickens. Before then, you should limit physical activities to playing fetch.
Featured toys:
- Kong Soft Rubber Toys for Teething Pups
- Aipper 12-Pack Assorted Puppy Toys
- Buibiiu 6-Pack Assorted Puppy Toys
Conclusion
The Border collie is a medium-sized canine that has a large reservoir of energy. A healthy adult can grow up to 22 inches at the shoulders and weighs up to 55 pounds. Your little collie may stop growing by the time he reaches 10 or 12 months, but he will continue to fill out.
And while the Border collie is the smartest canine breed in the world, you can’t rely on genes alone and expect your pooch to grow into a furry Einstein. As with any breed, a Border collie pup needs intensive care throughout the most crucial periods of development and this involves a high-quality diet, socialization, and positive reinforcement.
Moreover, treat your puppy for worms. Deworming will prevent growth retardation and illnesses caused by intestinal parasites. Lastly, do not forget the puppy shots!